James Randolph Sr (abt. 1725 - bef. 1797)

Born about 1725 in Colony of Virginia [uncertain]

Husband of Margaret (Smalley) Randolph — married about 1748 in Province of North Carolina [uncertain]

Husband of Mary (Dye) Randolph — married after 12 Dec 1781 (to before Oct 1797) in Caswell, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died before Oct 1797 before about age 72 in Caswell, North Carolina, United State

Problems/Questions Profile managers: L S Randolph [send private message] and US Southern Colonies Project WikiTree [send private message]

James Randolph Sr resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776. Join: US Southern Colonies Project Discuss: southern_colonies

Biography

James Randolph was born about 1725^[1] in Virginia.^{[citation needed]}

James married first Margaret Smalley in 1748 in North Carolina.^{[citation needed]}

He married second Mary (Polly) Dye after 12 December 1781 in Caswell County, North Carolina, when James and David Shelton posted £50 bond, and James obtained license to marry.^[2]

On 20 December 1781, James Randolph of Caswell County, North Carolina, entered into indentures with four sons, selling or giving each of them land in Caswell County:^[3][4][5][6]

• James Randolph of CC to James Randolph Jun'r (his son), for 100 lbs, 90 acres in CC, on County Line Cr, bounded as follows: adj Abram Dunaway, William Hall, William Randolph. Wit: A'd Murphy, H. Harralson.
• James Randolph of CC to Robert Randolph (his son) of CC, for 100 lbs, 90 acres in CC, on Country Line Cr, bounded as follows: adj James Randolph Jun'r, on the main road. Ann Smith, William Ragsdale. Wit.: A'd Murphy, H. Harralson, Benj'n Debow.
• James Randolph of CC to Abram Randolph (his son) of CC, for love of his son, 90 acres in CC, on Branches of North Fork of Smiths Mill Cr, bounded as follows: adj Abrum Dunaway, Reuben Taylor, Wm. Randolph, Robert Randolph. Wit.: A'd Murphy, H. Harralson, Benj'n Debow.
• James Randolph of CC to William Randolph (his son) *of CC, for love & regard to his son, 90 acres in CC, on both sides Ann Merrits Mill Cr, bounded as follows: adj Reubin Taylor, Ann Smith, Mereweather's Fork on Dan R, along the road to lines of Robert & James Randolph. Wit: A'd Murphy, H. Harralson, Benj'n Debow.

He was residing in Caswell County in 1790. (there are two James Randolph's documented in Caswell County, NC in 1790)* 1790 Census: "1790 United States Federal Census"
The National Archives in Washington, DC; Washington, DC; First Census of the United States, 1790.; Year: 1790; Census Place: Caswell, North Carolina; Series: M637; Page: 81
Ancestry Record 5058 #159629 (accessed 11 October 2023)
James Randolph in Caswell, North Carolina.

James died before October 1797, presumably in Caswell County, North Carolina.^[7]

Children

James' children with his first wife (unknown) presumably include:

1. James Jr, b. bef. 20 Dec 1760.
2. Robert, b. bef. 20 Dec 1760.
3. Abraham, b. bef. 20 Dec 1760.
4. William, b. bef. 20 Dec 1760.
5. Rebecah, presumably b. bef. 15 Jun 1776, unmarried, and living with her parents in 1797.
6. Jeremiah, presumably b. bef. 15 Jun 1776.

James' children with his second wife Mary Dye presumably include:

1. John, b. aft. 15 Jun 1776.
2. Nimrod, b. aft. 15 Jun 1776.

James names "my Son in law William Dye" in his Will. Dye could have been married to Rebecah who by tradition went by the name Catherine. Alternatively, Rebecah could be a younger daughter still living at home as James bequeaths her "one feather Bed and furniture, Called her bed." See Disputed Children.

Will & Death

Last Will and Testament of James Randolph Sr^[7]
Caswell County, North Carolina.
15 June 1797.
October Court 1797 (proved).

In The Name of God Amen this 15th day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and Ninety Seven, I James Randolph Sen'r of the County of Caswell and State of North Carolina being sick and weak of body but of sound Mind and Memory Thanks be given to Almighty God and Calling to Mind The Mortality of my body and uncertainty of this life, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in the following Manner and form - And first I commit my soul into the Hands of Almighty God who gave It and my body to the earth to be decently buried in a Christian Manner; And as for Such Worldly Goods as It hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I dispose of them in the following Manner

Imprimise I Give and bequeath to my son John Randolph the land and plantation whereon I now live Containing one Hundred and forty one Acres, when he arrives to the age of Twenty one years, to him and his Heirs and assigns forever, And If he dies without age, Then I leave the land to Nimrod, also five pounds Virginia Money.

Item I Give and bequeath to my son Nimrod Randolph my bed which I lie on, Also five pounds Virginia Money, to him his Heirs and assigns forever --

Item, I Give and bequeath to my daughter Rebecah Randolph one feather Bed and furniture, Called her bed, and one Half of the pewter belonging to the House and one Cow to her and her Heirs forever --

Item I Lend to my Well beloved Wife Mary Randolph all the residue of my estate during her Widowhood, but be It remembered that should my Wife Marry, that then the estate hereby lent to her shall be equally divided between my son Jerremiah Randolph and my son Nimrod -- It is my wish and Desire that If after my death my Wife should die before my Young Children Arrive at age that Robert my son should take his Brother John and raise him and That William should Take Nimrod and raise him to age -- Lastly I constitute Ordain and appoint my beloved son James Randolph and my Son in law William Dye Executors of This my last Will and Testament; and I do hereby revoke and Make Void all Other Will or Wills heretofore by me made ratifying and Confirming this only to be my last Will and Testament.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this day and Year first above Written -- his

James Randolph, R his mark {seal}

mark

Signed Sealed published }

pronounced and declared }

as the last Will and Testament }

of James Randolph in presence

of us & each of us

A.E. Murphey (Jurat)

Wm. Gordon (Jurat)

John Carter, x his mark

Caswell County^[7]
October Court 1797

The Execution of this Will was duly proved in open Court by the Oaths of Archibald Murphey and William Gordon Two Subscribing Witnesses and on Motion Ordered to be recorded at the Same time James Randolph and William Dye Qualified Executors --

Test A.E. Murphey CCC

On 1 November 1797, a part of the estate of James Randolph, deceased, was sold at twelve months credit.^[8] Signed: James Randolph Jun'r (his mark), William Dye (his mark).

Thomas Gatewood / Thomas Read Land Deed

This Indenture^[9] made this 3d day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five between Thomas Read of the County of Caswell and State of North Carolina of one part and Thomas Gatewood & Company of Milton and State of North Carolina of the other part witness that the said Thomas Read for and in Consideration of the Sum of two hundred and fifty Dollars to him in hand paid by the said Thomas Gatewood & Company the Receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge that Given and Granted and by these presents doth give grant bargain and Sell alien in fee of release & confirm unto the Said Thomas Gatewood & Company all that tract or parcel of land and premises Situate lying and being in the County of Caswell and on Randolphs Spring branch and of Country line Creek and bounded as followeth to Wit Begining at a Stake in William Moore?s line & runs thence a conditional line South ten degrees East ninety nine poles to a white oak thence South about twenty West forty two poles to a dead post Oak thence south Thirty two Degrees East sixty five poles to a post Oak corner of James Randolp Jr thence East Sixty poles to a hicory [hickory] Saplin a corner of Said Randolps and also a Corner of James Randolps orphans thence North with the line of James Randolph Decd and the lines of Ann Smith one hundred and Ninety two poles to a Stake a corner of Said Smiths old Survey thence West with the lines of Said Smith William Rainey and said William Moore one hundred and one poles to the begining containing by Estimation one hundred and two acres of land be the same more or less with the Reversion and Reversions remainder and Remainders rents issues and propets [?] Thereof To have and to hold the above said land and promises together with all and Singular the appurtenances there unto belonging or in anywise appertaining to the only use benefit and behoof of them the Said Thomas Gatewood & Company their heirs and assigns forever and the Said Thomas Read for himself his heirs Execrs and admrs to and with the Said Thomas Gatewood & Company their heirs Executors and Administrators that the aforesaid tract of land promises Together with all and Singular the appertenances thereunto belonging he will forever Warrant and Defend from the lawful claim or Claims of him his heirs Execrs and Admrs and from the lawful claim or claims of every other person claiming or to claim by from or under him them or any of them to the only proper use benefit and behoof of them the Said Thomas Gatewood & Company their Heirs and assigns forever In Witness whreof he the Said Thomas Read hath hereunto Set his hand and affixed his Seal the day and year first above written

Thomas Reid {seal}

Signed Sealed and Delivered In presence of
Jos Samuell
Durrell Richards
Jno Stanfeild

State of North Carolina
Caswell County
July Court 1806

The Execution of this deed was duly proved in open court by the oath of Josiah Samuel one the Subscribing Witnesses thereto and on motion ordered to be Registered

Test Ad Murphey CC

Research Notes

Conflation occurred because three different Randolph DNA were in Caswell County, North Carolina in same time frame.

Vital Statistics

Name
An unsourced middle name Richard was previously listed in the biography.; likely conflated with incorrect Randolph DNA.

Birth
His birth date is unsourced. The attached children are listed as born between 1750 and 1786, though the 1750 dates are also unsourced. The 1750 birth date of his daughter Rebecah is estimated from her husband's birth date.

James' birth date is therefore estimated from the estimated birth date of his daughter Rebecah, (about 1750 - average 25 years age of father at birth of first child) = about 1725.

An unsourced birth of 17 Jan 1725 in Roanoke Magisterial District, Halifax County, Colony of Virginia was previously (merged) listed in the data field.

An unsourced birth of Sep 1725 in Roanoke, Halifax, Virginia, was previously listed in the biography.

Death
An unsourced death of 17 Jun 1797 at age 72 in Milton, Caswell, North Carolina, United States was previously (merged) listed in the data field.

Purported Parents

Some show his parents as Alexander Randolph and Margaret Swearinger, 1742 Old Edgecombe Co, NC., but without supporting documentation.^{[citation needed]}

Possibilities for His First Wife

Suggested by previous researchers, with not enough supporting documentation:

Rebecca Robertson ("Sister of Thomas")

Jane Barnes

Jane Unknown

Unknown Graves

Margaret Smalley / Unknown Smelley

Frances Bland / Francis Blanch.

Note from L S Randolph: This wife was from conflation of James Richard Randolph and goes to a different DNA Randolph. There is no James Richard Randolph; it is Richard Randolph and James Randolph. Two different people, two different locations and DNA.

One researcher offers the following as evidence that the James R. Randolph of this entry was married to Jane Barnes: 1782 April. James Randolph and wife Jane Randolph of Craven Co. SC [NC] to Moses Stallion of Franklin Co. 320 acres in Franklin Co. on Peach tree Creek half of 640 acres granted by Earl Granville to Thomas Cook by pat. 1760 and conveyed to Jane Barnes by deed Feb. 4, 1765. Wit: Wm Hunt, Wm. Wilson.

If James R. Randolph was married to Jane Barnes, the marriage apparently took place after 4 February 1765 when she was referred to by her maiden name. This suggests that James R. Randolph had a wife (or wives) before Jane Barnes, if, indeed, Jane Barnes was his wife.

Disputed Children

Some researchers cite Rebecah named in the Will as an adult child of James Randolph, married to William Dye named as his son-in-law. It was passed down orally through direct descendants that this older Rebecah went by the name "Catharine" and was a daughter of James Randolph's 1st wife (Unknown).

The Rebecah named in the Will is also reasoned to be a younger child of Mary Dye still living at home because she is left "One feather bed and furniture, called her bed" etc, and also is named "Rebecah Randolph" in the Will rather than "Rebecah Dye."

Some researchers also show Elizabeth Randolph (bef.1781-) as a child of James Randolph, although she isn't named in the Will. [needs reliable source]

Speculative Biography

[Some of the following is speculation and needs to be sourced or dis-proven. The portion reliably sourced should be merged into the biography.]

He is not believed to be related to the famous Randolphs that married into Thomas Jefferson's family. It isn't know if he was born in North Carolina or this country. (source? Possibly supported by DNA information provided by Bill Randle, Y-DNA Randolph project manager.)

It is believed that James lived very close to the border of Virginia where William Dye Jr. lived. (source?)

A James Randolph bought land on the south side of the Tar River in Edgecombe, (south of Caswell County) near his father in 1759. (source?)

He was buried on the Randolph Farm, Bent Road, Stone Marked 'J'. (source?)

There was a James Randolph that surveyed land in Orange / Caswell County, Virginia in 1753, and helped build a road from Halifax to Caswell. Halifax County Va.was right across the border. There is a Halifax County North Carolina and not to be confused with the county in Virginia. (source?)

James Randolph (Randel)'s name is on a petition list to divide Orange Co, 1774. (source?)

He buys land on Country Line Creek, 1777. (source?)

DNA Information

See FTDNA Randolph/Randall/Randle/Randol Surname Group - YDNA, subgroup I-M253: Caswell County.

From Bill Randle, Y-DNA project manager:

"Six James Randolph male descendants have tested and DNA does not connect this line to any other Randolph line at this time."

Sources

1. ↑ See Vital Statistics.
2. ↑ Register of Deeds, Caswell County, North Carolina, Marriage bonds, 1780-1868, Marriage bonds, v. M-R 1780-1868; database with images, FamilySearch (image 1204).
3. ↑ Register of Deeds, Caswell County, North Carolina, Deeds, 1777-1963; land entries, 1778-1863, Deeds, v. A 1777-1782; database with images, FamilySearch (image 332).
4. ↑ Register of Deeds, Caswell County, North Carolina, Deeds, 1777-1963; land entries, 1778-1863, Deeds, v. A 1777-1782; database with images, FamilySearch (image 333).
5. ↑ Register of Deeds, Caswell County, North Carolina, Deeds, 1777-1963; land entries, 1778-1863, Deeds, v. A 1777-1782; database with images, FamilySearch (image 334).
6. ↑ Register of Deeds, Caswell County, North Carolina, Deeds, 1777-1963; land entries, 1778-1863, Deeds, v. A 1777-1782; database with images, FamilySearch (image 334).
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} Superior Court, Caswell County, North Carolina, Will records, with some inventories, estates and settlements, 1777- 1963, Vol. A-C, 1777-1800.; database with images, FamilySearch (images 531-532).
8. ↑ Division of Archives and History, North Carolina, Wills and estate papers (Caswell County), 1663-1978, Estates records Rainey, James - Roan, R. L.; database with images, FamilySearch (images 165-167).
9. ↑ Register of Deeds, Caswell County, North Carolina, Deeds, 1777-1963; land entries, 1778-1863, Deeds, v. O-Q 1804-1813; database with images, FamilySearch (image 126).

See also - review for reliable sources and find links:

• Lorene Randolph, "Re: Graves Family of Caswell County," Genealogy.com (post).
• County Court Records at Yanceyville, NC. [need more detail]

See also - other family trees:

• Possible profile: FamilySearch Person: LDKN-FYD for James R. Randolph (1725–1797). [note marriage record dated 12 Dec 1781; not consistent with this couple]
• Ancestry Profile for James Richard Randall Sr (1725–1797). [unsourced]
• Ancestry Profile for James Randolph (1725–1797). [unsourced]